Check it! - Electricity - Year 6

Within the Year 6 curriculum, the concept of electricity is explored, encouraging students to understand how it works and the ways in which its power can vary. To ensure a deep and retained understanding, the teaching plan from Focus Education (UK) Ltd recommends incorporating regular review sessions. These sessions could take the form of various activities such as 'Brain dump', where children spill out all they know, or 'Give me FIVE!', prompting them to list five items related to a specific aspect of electricity. Other methods include adding to a mind map to visually organize their knowledge, and 'Expand and Elaborate', where they delve deeper into the subject matter.

The 'CHECK IT!' activities are designed to assess and reinforce the students' knowledge. For example, they might be asked to name five conductors and five insulators, or to elaborate on how electrical power varies and its impact on everyday life. Students could be prompted to identify five appliances they use regularly that require electricity, five kitchen devices, and five examples of electricity's role outside the home. Additionally, they are encouraged to define what an electrical current is, describe an electrical particle, and explain the significance of positive and negative charges in electricity. The 'Pyramid Check' activity is structured to cater to different levels of understanding, ensuring that all pupils can respond to the foundational questions, with more challenging queries set for those ready to extend their learning.